Publication details
Diverzita mikroskopických hub Antarktidy
| Title in English | Diversity of Antarctic Microfungi |
|---|---|
| Authors | |
| Year of publication | 2009 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | The Antarctic mycobiota is diversified depending on differences in local climate and substrate. Presence of bird colonies, invertebrate populations and vegetation as well as geographic location affects the occurrence and frequency of microscopic fungi. The majority of the filamentous fungi are cosmopolitan, cold-tolerant mesophilic species. They are capable to grow and reproduce at least under Antarctic summer conditions. Moreover, a few of them are psychrophilic including Thelebolus microsporus and black meristematic fungi. Black melanised fungi exhibit meristematic growth and form compact restricted microcolonies inside rocks. Group of seven strains of black meristematic fungi were isolated only from cold habitats of the Ulu Peninsula. Molecular studies in cooperation with CCFEE (Culture Collection of Fungi from Extreme Environments) to assess their phylogenetic position are still in progress; preliminary data address all these fungi to the order Capnodiales. T. microsporus is frequently reported from Antarctica in association with Antarctic bird dung and feathers. In our study, the high number of T. microsporus isolates was obtained from soil inside bird colonies. Most of the isolated fungi represented anamorphic forms. Only T. microsporus reproduced sexually. The results of mycological analysis revealed relatively high species diversity in soil crust in spite of stressful conditions influencing their development. The mycobiota of James Ross Island is mainly formed by anamorphic Ascomycota, only a few species of Basidiomycota and Mucoromycotina were present. |
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